Why You Should NEVER Ice an Injury

Surprised? Let's look at what could happen when we apply ice to an injury and then see what other options we might have. With most injuries there is a heat buildup, or inflammation, that occurs often followed by localized swelling of the tissue - and pain, of course. While it is true that putting ice on the damaged part seems to cool it and alleviate some of the swelling and perhaps some of the pain, there is a price to pay.

When we cool an area in this way, we slow the circulation, which slows the healing process and tends to "trap" the heat in layers around the injury, as well as the liquids or the lymph, which we generally refer to as the "damp." This can cause additional symptoms to manifest and become chronic, preventing a complete healing. Often times the layer of cold or damp, as well as the heat, that remains can stay in the surrounding tissue for years until it is taken out by using appropriate techniques for doing so.

3 Ways to Clear Heat from an Injury
A better way to deal with the injury is to "pull" or clear the heat as a first aid technique as quickly as is possible, using direct energy handling methods, herbs that dissipate heat, and antioxidants.

Clearing the Heat Energetically
The heat that corresponds to fever, pain, or inflammation, and also anger, is fire energy of the color RED-ORANGE. What we do is to locate a source of that color to visually identify what we want to get rid of from the area of the injury, and then get a good "ground" to flow that energy out of the body. Anything that will ground electrical energy will do, such as a stove, refrigerator, wall switch, water pipe, outlet (the cover will do - you don't need to stick your finger in the outlet), or if we are outside, a street light, power pole. Put one hand just below the injury, the other hand on the energy ground. While looking at the color red-orange, start a flow of that energy from the wounded area through your body and into the ground. You can do this procedure for yourself or for anyone else. Even though it may sound curious at best, the good news is: IT REALLY WORKS !!

Herbal Approach
External poultices and plasters can be made up easily with the combination of heat-clearing herbs such as Arnica, Echinacea, Goldenseal, Angelica and Comfrey. You can also add astringent herbs such as Yellow Dock, Wormwood, Witch Hazel, Calendula, Shepherd's Purse, and Prickly Ash Bark, to mention a few. There are, of course many of these herbs that can be ingested to work from inside to clear heat as well, such as Boneset, Comfrey Root, White Willow Bark, Valerian, Myrrh, and Lobelia.

Antioxidant Approach
When your body says, "ouch," what it is really trying to tell you is that it doesn't have enough resources to detoxify itself. Excess toxins in the body are often the cause of soreness, stiffness, headaches, and even allergy-type symptoms. To give your body a helping hand, beef up your antioxidant intake. Some common antioxidants include wheat sprouts, coenzyme Q10, stem-cell boosters, and mangosteen juice. All of these, taken with plenty of water, help your body cleanse and refresh itself.

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